The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1887-07-30
Correspondence.
CHEaErynLs, La. july 20, 1881
EDITORS CoTRrER

EDITORS Courier
! Have quite recently visited various portions
OF your truly beautiful parish, St. Landry, aud
was pleased to notice the very honrishing con
dition of the thousands of corn and cotton
crops as well also as few of the sugar cane
crops which came under my immediate obser-
walton. have visited many localities in Ra-
pides and Ayoyelles parishes and must say
that the corn and cotton crops of st. Landry
| are in my opinion much better than those OF
either of the others, although both Rapides
and Ayoyelles have unusually excellent show
ings in both corn and cotton.
The farmers generally complain of too much
rain, and many of them announce that they
have seen the green worm called "fore runner
of the caterpillar. | saw several of these
worms . webbed up" during my tour.
The farmers everywhere on my route were
anxious to be informed as to the import, OBJ
ject and workings of the Farmers Alliance,
as it is called in Texas, and the same organi-
cation in intentions, purposes, and works as
the Farmers Union of Louisiana. l found
that when the object was fully explained there
was general desire to join in the movement,
and was successful in organizing six Unions
in st. Landry and one Parish Union, and four
Unions in Av0yelles parish. Rapides has Thy
the time this reaches you) 10 Unions, many OF
which number over 100 members. / also or
ganized one Union in Calcasieu pasish. There
is no agent appointed for that parish and one
is needed MIR. John H. Ware of Opelousas
has kindly agreed to take portion of my ter
rit0ry off my hands, and from this date will
work in St. Landry from line south OF Vile
Plate and extending and including all of the
parish of Acadia. Any community desiring
TO establish Union in those limits can be
ably instructed by calling on him through the
postoffee at Opelousas.
There has been misapprehensl0ns gone
abroad in regard to the Farmers Union and
your columns to correct. Many suppose that IL
and the Grange are identical. Let me assure
them they differ very much. In fact the I'm
ionn is built upon a more solid and tastlng
foundation than the Grange for example, the
Grunge had Estate buying and seiiing
agents = our Union does not presume to inter
fere in the trade relations of any of its subor-
diDate Unions. In this each Union can act
conformity with or without other Unions as 1t
may choose. The initiation fee is very much
smaller, only 25 cents. There is no specula-
| tion in this movement. The majority rules
No slavery is imposed. No religion, no poll.
tics or Temperance is allowed TO be discussed
when the doors are closed Each member
can have his views on either of these subjects
or all of them when the Union is not in ses-
sion, but any subject which might lead TO dis
| sensions or c0ptentions which are not strictly
| in the line of business is left outside the
charmed circle The intentions and pur
poses are declared, and are well summed up
| in the words that we promise to labor for
| the Farmers Union and its purposes, assured
/ that q faithful observance of the following
| principles will insure mental, moral and imam
cial prosperity
i Another misapprehension is that the Farm
| ers Union declares war on merchants, doctors
/ lawyers and professional men. Such however
| is not the case. While such are prevented
| from joining there is no desire to injure them
| pecuniarily or personally We ptDfess good
/ will to all men and brotherly love among our
selves" but at the same time We declare our
selves as d unit in warding off oppression OF
extortion in any of its forms.
good moral character is one OF the reqnl
sites for membership and belief in a Su
preme Being is necessary. Our political faitl
| is declared in the words, g we believe the OF
/ fee should seek the man instead OF tue mai
| seeking the office." We seek no political no
toriety but we hope that our members vii
| study we'll the character OF every candidate
who offers or is offered, and will only vote fol
such as have integrity and is scrupuiousil
| honest.
Space in your columns prevents my saying
more on this every way laudable institution
/ Too much cannot well be said in its praise, TO
| it is founded on the great and admirable doc
| trine. Equal and exact justice TO all; spe
/ cial fayors TO none"
/ Yours resp'y., LINN TANNER.